Stuff They Don't Want You To Know - iHeartPodcasts

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Listener Mail: Water Wars and Terrorism, Elephants and Circuses, the Future of Apprenticeships, and More Aug 20, 2026

Show notes

Byron from Seattle responds to the Hidden Horror of Elephant Shows, prompting a future episode on Seaworld. The Spectacular John and Andi explore the concept of looming water wars -- and just how easy it is for terrorists to hack small-town water facilities. Emily and Mark weigh in on the past, present and future of apprenticeships. Tune in for all this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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Why Do White House Chefs Keep Drowning? Aug 19, 2026

Show notes

Landing a gig at the White House is -- surprise -- pretty competitive. And working in the kitchen is no exception. Over the past few centuries, the White House kitchen has evolved in step with the nation. Regardless of who's President, everybody's gotta eat, and White House chefs often form deep relationships and lifelong friendships with their clients. Yet as Ben, Matt and Noel discover in tonight's episode, this proximity to power may have a dark side. Not one, but two former White House chefs have drowned under mysterious circumstances, leading more and more people to ask: Is this a series of tragic coincidences... or is there a conspiracy afoot?

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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CLASSIC: What is the Golden Dawn? Aug 18, 2026

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In the late 19th century, several friends and Freemasons ambarked on a strange endeavor -- creating their own secret society for the purpose of studying magic. While the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn may sound bizarre and obscure today, its existence had a profound impact on later, similar groups and systems. But what exactly was it? Perhaps more importantly -- did any of this magic work? Tune in to learn more in this week's Classic episode.

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Strange News: Trouble at the Cheese Bank, Wildfire Betting, AI Viruses, ICE Shock Gloves, Robocop for Shoplifters, and More Aug 17, 2026

Show notes

Intense heat endangers Italy's cheese banks (which are apparently a thing). Congress weighs whether to ban people from betting on wildfires. ICE plans to roll out electric shock gloves. In the UK, Greggs brings in 'robocops' to deter shoplifters. Oh! And scientists are using AI to design new, real-life viruses. Tune in for all this and more in this week's strange news segment.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Stuff They Don’t Want YouTube Know, Chapter Two: A Narrative War Aug 14, 2026

Show notes

As the largest video-sharing platform on the planet, YouTube can make -- or break -- the careers of billions of creators through policy changes or demonetization. For many people, it's become the primary source of news, education, and entertainment. And other powerful forces are paying attention. In the second chapter of this special two-part series, Ben, Matt, and Noel explore how everyone from large corporations to state-level powers, intelligence agencies, and extremist groups push to control aspects of YouTube, conspiring to win a war of narratives -- and make sure you only see what they want you to see.

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"CLASSIC: What is the Military-entertainment Complex? " Aug 13, 2026

Show notes

In tonight's Classic episode, Ben and Matt return to a continual fascination: Eisenhower warned the public about the rise of the military-industrial complex back in his 1961 farewell address, and over the decades the public has become increasingly aware of the potential for corruption in the close relationship between the military and the private defense industry. But have you heard of the military-entertainment complex? It's the reason you see the US military in so many action films, and the reason Uncle Sam bankrolls video games. In this episode, the guys dive into the surprisingly close links between Hollywood and the Pentagon, exploring just how this relationship evolved -- and why it continues in the modern day.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Stuff They Don’t Want YouTube Know, Chapter One: "Me at the Zoo" Aug 12, 2026

Show notes

With hundreds of hours of content uploaded every single minute, YouTube is is the world's largest video-sharing platform. Billions of users log on constantly, and you can, in theory find information on anything. Yet as Ben, Matt, and Noel discover in the first chapter of this special two-part series, YouTube's massive success also comes with controversy... and accusations of conspiracy. Tune in to learn more of the 'Stuff They Don't Want YouTube Know'.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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CLASSIC: Who killed John Parsons Wheeler? Aug 11, 2026

Show notes

John Parsons Wheeler III -- Jack to his friends -- was a mover and shaker in the Defense industry. Over the course of his career he worked with three different Presidential administrations, and also built a reputation for his tireless charity work. So how can we explain the strange series of events that led to his untimely death, his body discovered in a landfill? Tune in to learn more in tonight's Classic episode.

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Strange News: Denmark Doubles Down, Google Messes Up AI, several Naked Folks Get in Trouble, RFK Jr., and More Aug 10, 2026

Show notes

In response to the USA's weird obsession with Greenland, Denmark prepares to send its first wave of conscripts. Google makes a massive fumble with a short-lived AI program that allowed people to just 'make up' stuff on Google Earth. Multiple naked guys get on the wrong side of the law, including one who claimed to be Jesus Christ. Also, for some reason, RFK Jr. wants you to know he doesn't have a gag reflex. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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The True Story of Raytheon: Three Guys Got Super Into Refrigerators (and then War) Aug 07, 2026

Show notes

Officially known as the RTX Corporation, the company commonly called Raytheon is one of the biggest defense and aerospace conglomerates on the planet. And with that comes a slew of controversies, cover-ups, and accusations of conspiracy. In tonight's episode, Ben, Noel, and Dylan explore how three guys who were super into refrigerators ended up saving the Allies in World War II ... and quickly realized war is great for business.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.